San Francisco offense vs. Arizona defense

	49ERS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	21
	Pass	23
	Tot. Yds.	26
	Scoring	24
	Int's allowed	5
	Sacks allowed	5
	CARDINALS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	17
	vs. Pass	4
	Total yds. allowed	4
	Ints.	6
	Sacks	16
	Turnover differential	-2

After the debacle in Jacksonville and last week's narrow win over New Orleans, Niners' Offensive Coordinator Marty Mornhinweg must find a way to protect QB Steve Young. Through two games, it's becoming apparent that the Niners have left themselves way too thin on the offensive line.

Luckily for the Niners, the Cards' front four is still without the services of starting DTs Eric Swann and Mark Smith. In last week's loss to Miami, RDE Andre Wadsworth had arguably the best game of career, posting three tackles, three batted down passes, and an interception. If San Francisco's opts to stick with second-year ROT Jeremy Newberry on Young's blindside, Wadsworth will be have another huge game.

Newberry, who struggled badly in pass protection last week, has endured tremendous growing pains without a capable blocking TE in the lineup. The loss of starting TE Greg Clark has created a void that reserve Chad Fann cannot fill. Clark is close to getting back on the field but it is doubtful he will play on Monday.

San Francisco's interior OL should easily handle Arizona's makeshift tackle rotation, so look for the Niners to use a lot of max protection with the RBs staying in to block the hard rush coming off the edge. Don't expect a lot of seven-step drops from Young this week. The 49ers will use a lot of screens and circle routes to their backs in order to discourage the DEs from taking such a hard rush upfield.

There has been much speculation as to who will replace Garrison Hearst in the Niners' backfield. After two impressive performances, it appears Charlie Garner will be the guy. Garner rushed for 72 yards on 12 carries and caught five passes for another 88 yards on Sunday against New Orleans.

The problem that might face the Niners all season is their lack of a tough inside runner. Garner's skills dictate that he be used primarily on sweeps and downhill runs that get him to the corner. Backup RB Lawrence Phillips was supposed to be the valuable between-the-tackles runner that would hurt a depleted defense like Arizona's, but he has yet to show anything.

With backup DTs Jerry Drake and Brad Ottis in the lineup, expect plenty of traps and draws from the Niners. The Cardinals will counter with plenty of five-man fronts to disguise the deficiencies of their speedy linebacking corps. By inserting backup DT Rashod Swinger, the Cards are able to take undersized OLB Zach Walz out of the game and bulk up the run support. This plan worked very well a week ago, as the Cards held Miami to just 83 yards on 31 carries.

Arizona offense vs. San Francisco defense

	CARDINALS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	27
	Pass	19
	Tot. Yds.	24
	Scoring	15
	Int's allowed	1
	Sacks allowed	25
	49ERS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	14
	vs. Pass	4
	Total yds. allowed	4
	Ints.	6
	Sacks	16
	Turnover differential	-2

QB Jake Plummer will not correct the problems he is having on Sundays until he starts getting practice reps during the week. Plummer, who has thrown seven interceptions in the first two games, has been bothered by a thumb injury, and his lack of practice time is leading to an inordinate number of ill-advised throws.

Part of Plummer's problem has been the erratic play of his "revolving door" offensive line. C Aaron Graham is the only starter that has been part of the first unit since the beginning of training camp. The team will receive a boost if starting RT James Dexter can return this week as expected. Dexter's replacement, Anthony Clement, played well last week, but he committed three careless penalties that put the Cards in bad down-and-distance situations. Arizona's instability up front has delayed the implementation of their three-receiver sets with rookie David Boston.

The Niners have recorded only two sacks in their first two games, which has put increased pressure on their vulnerable secondary. The players that need to get the job done this week are DEs Marvin Washington, Gabe Wilkins and edge rusher Charles Haley. Wilkins should be able to beat either Dexter or Clement with his first step, and Haley should dominate Joyce, who struggles badly against speed rushers.

Because of the problems up front, RB Adrian Murrell has not had much running room early in the season. If the Cards can ever spread the field with three wide receivers, Murrell's slashing style will be much more effective. Thus far, Murrell has been forced to run behind a patchwork line that leaves FB Joel Mackovicka too much clean-up work.

The Cards will have their hands full stopping DTs Bryant Young and Junior Bryant. Though he is not yet back to full strength, Young played every snap last week, and he should have no problem getting penetration against RG Lester Holmes, a short area mauler who lacks the athleticism to stick with the Niners' All-Pro.

The Niners' linebacker corps has been banged up the past couple of weeks but MLB Winfred Tubbs and OLB Ken Norton Jr. are both playing good football. Norton showed better range last week against the Saints than he has at any point over the past two seasons. If Norton goes after Murrell the way he did Ricky Williams, the Cards will be forced to throw the ball.

Special teams

	NFL RANK
	Category	SF	ARI
	Punt return avg.	30	7
	Kickoff return avg.	12	13
	Opp. punt return avg.	17	11
	Opp. kickoff ret. avg.	17	18
	Time of possession	23	12

Disregard coach Vince Tobin's criticism of his special teams -- these units are solid. Tobin has made it clear that he is not happy with PK Chris Jacke's kickoffs and is considering using Joe Nedney this week. If that is Tobin's only gripe with the play of his special teams he should be pleased.

Rookie David Boston is providing the spark that the club thought he would when they drafted him in April. Boston is averaging nearly 16 yards per return and teams with KOR Mario Bates (24.3 avg.) to form a dangerous duo. P Scott Player is not getting good distance on his kicks but his hang-time allows for the coverage units to get downfield.

San Francisco got a big boost to its coverage teams last week when Pro Bowler Travis Jervey returned to action. Although he's a bit rusty, Jervey is one of the rare teamers that can make a difference.

RS R.W. McQuarters is entirely to blame for his fumbled kickoff in Week 1, but his return units have not given him many opportunities to break anything. San Francisco must concentrate on holding their blocks long enough to give McQuarters a chance, and rookie long-snapper Joe Zelenka, who sailed one over P Chad Stanley's head last week, must shape up.

Key matchups